School Official Resigns; Resume Proves False

The associate superintendent of the Compton Unified School District has resigned under pressure after district officials learned that he did not have the college degree he listed on his job application.

James H. Turner of Los Angeles acknowledged that he resigned on Tuesday but declined to answer other questions about the move or about the undergraduate degree he said he had from Indiana State University. It was not clear how the issue of Turner’s degree came up. However, district officials checked with the university and were told there was no record of his attending the school or getting a degree there, sources said.

Acting Supt. Elisa L. Sanchez did not return a reporter’s calls but district sources said Sanchez gave Turner the option of resigning or being fired.

Turner, who was hired three years ago as purchasing director and has been associate superintendent since late 1988, was at the center of a recent controversy involving contractors he hired to do work for the district. County education officials ruled that Compton could not pay the three contractors because Turner did not put the work up for public bid.